I Hate Hospitals

Day 10

By: Illiteratetroll

Written on December 16th, 2012

The spoilt brat that has been driving the entire ward demented with her temper tantrums has finally discharged herself, the relief is unbelievable! We still have all the other crap here to deal with but getting rid of our little darling has resulted in all of us cheering up quite significantly. On the downside I've seen a nurse use a dirty sock to clean of one the name boards, I practically had to lift my own chin off the floor manually as I just couldn't believe a nurse could or would do that. We also have a dead body in the room opposite us, the gentleman died of hospital acquired pneumonia at around 11 am this morning, the family were here within 15 minutes to see him, they left two and a half hours ago but his body still hasn't been removed, I have no clue what the protocol is in situations like this. It's now visiting time so I presume they won't be moving him before that ends! Maybe they'll do it after visiting hours are over, however I have a horrible feeling he may just be left here till after the ward has settled down for the night, as that's not going to be for around another 10-11 hours I hope to goodness his window is open, bear in mind the temperature on the ward is around 25 degrees C things could get a bit ripe round here. There's nothing like being given dignity after death and this is certainly nothing like being giving dignity. I thought this place couldn't appal me any more than it had already, I guess I was wrong. RIP Robert.

By: Illiteratetroll

Age: 41-45

213 people have read this story

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22 responses

Ceridwyn

So glad you're home!!!
Some things simply can't be reclassified as "entertainment value".
((hugs))

Dec 22, 2012
2 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  It's fortunately starting to feel like it was all just a bad dream! Took me a few days of being home to proper get my equilibrium back. That place was unbelievable.
  
  Dec 22, 2012
  1 like
Kathieredart

Yes, RIP Robert. Can you imagine how Robert's family would feel if they knew his body had not been respectfully taken away? I would be livid! ... And it is very wrong for you to have to know that the poor man is in there deceased. Some folks just aren't able to handle that type of thing. The stories you tell about this experience are ghastly and disturbing to say the least. 2-21/2 days or so, you'll fly away.
Only good thing: adios little know it all twit! ;-)

Dec 16, 2012
3 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  The nurses tried to pretend no one had died, the entire ward knew, it was kinda hard for us in our bay not to know he was still there as his room is directly opposite. In this particular building there is also a ward for dementia patients, they often coming wandering on to our ward, I was sitting here all afternoon desperately hoping no one wandered into the room. The ruddy brat was still here when he died, I was terrified she'd completely freak if she knew, she was a very young 13 year old and would never have coped, fortunately she wasn't very bright so she didn't suss a thing, I'm pretty sure she would've screamed the place down had she known. Much as I disliked having her here and I'm glad she's gone, I wouldn't wish that on any kid.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
EdieQuinnz

oh dear gawd

Dec 16, 2012
2 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  I know! Roll on Wednesday when I can go, can't wait.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- EdieQuinnz
  . *hugs* i want you out of there pronto! and you have to report them.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
avatarunknown

Have been reading with a kind of fascinated horror your recent experiences of our glorious NHS. Really hope you get home soon in better health and spirits than before.
I understand how the naturally caring nature of the nurses gets undermined by the need to meet targets and the constantly changing patients make it difficult to form personal relationships, but in the end surely this is at the heart of nursing. Being able to see each patient as an individual. To attempt to meet their needs, whether medical, social and emotional as far as is possible. Perhaps this is too much for some of them to keep up all the time.

Dec 16, 2012
2 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  Don't get me wrong some of them are great but some of them are just vile callous uncaring excuses for human beings. I understand how low staff morale is here and the knock on effect that creates, this is way beyond that. The majority of the nurses on this ward haven't got a clue when it comes to dealing with geriatric patients, I used to work as a care assistant with the elderly, to have to watch the complete lack of basic nursing care is freakin horrible, the patients do there best to look out for each other but it just shouldn't be like this. Thankfully I get out on Wednesday so I haven't much longer to go, I got so low last night I nearly jumped in a cab and ran away to the city, figured I'd book into a B&B, managed to stop myself, though only just!
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- avatarunknown
  They probably were real human beings once, but got burnt out, didn't realise it and carried on in the same job from habit. Little realising that they were becoming the worst example of their profession. I pity anyone who is helpless in their hands.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- Illiteratetroll
  I'm not so sure, this is my second admission to this ward, I was last here two and a half years ago, the same bad nurses were totally uncaring b!tches then, as they are now, I think it is there personality at fault. I don't think some of them have ever had hearts, why the hell they would go into nursing in the first place is beyond me, maybe they had hopes of snagging themselves a Dr!
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- avatarunknown
  Very poor reason to choose such a demanding career.
  
  Dec 17, 2012
  1 like
- Illiteratetroll
  Agreed but they sure as hell ain't doing the job because they enjoy it or because they are caring people.
  
  Dec 17, 2012
  1 like
2 More Replies
peza

There's a sitcom in here somewhere....... ;)

Dec 16, 2012
3 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  Except it's not fictional, this is life and death in today's NHS.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
Illiteratetroll

Robert was finally taken away half an hour after visiting time ended. May his god go with him.

Dec 16, 2012
1 like
womaninbliss

oh my. I'm not sure of the protocol on things like that either ... but it seems just awful. I know the NHS is always under pressure, but some of what you've described seems unbelievable. Glad you're getting out of there. ((hugs))

Dec 16, 2012
2 likes
- Illiteratetroll
  I think I've seen it all here, just when you think you couldn't possibly get any less compassionate, they do. I wouldn't risk putting my name to a complaint because I will at some point need to come into this ward again but I'm going to try and see if I can find a journalist who will keep my identity secret to talk to. How any human being can treat others in this way is shocking to me, the fact that these so called humans are trained nurses is just beyond belief.
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- womaninbliss
  It has to be possible to find someone who will take a story from you. Sadly though I doubt this sort of thing is unusual at all, but let's hope that it could start a ball rolling ... something needs to be done!
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- Illiteratetroll
  The real joke is, this is considered one of the better hospitals, how frightening is that!
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- womaninbliss
  wow ... very scary indeed. if this is how things are when people are conscious and aware of their surroundings ... imagine how it could be in situations where people are unconscious and vulnerable. **shudders**
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
- Illiteratetroll
  Doesn't bare thinking about!
  
  Dec 16, 2012
  1 like
2 More Replies

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